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Home » Info Center » Events, Awards & Recognitions » Senior Citizens Hall of Fame

The Ohio Department of Aging celebrates outstanding older Ohioans for their achievements and contributions to others; for the roles they play in their communities, state and nation; and for what they do to promote productive and enjoyable lives. Since 1977, more than 300 individuals have been inducted into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame for contributions toward the benefit of humankind after age 60, or for a continuation of efforts begun before that age.

View the 2008 Induction Ceremony
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2008 Inductees

Jane Ann Burns, Wilkesville

Volunteering has been a way of life for Jane Ann Burns. During her career at the Gallipolis Developmental Center, she was Director of Volunteer Services. She worked with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Foster Grandparent Program, and directed the residents’ band and choir. She was instrumental in organizing two not-for-profit organizations; the Volunteer Services Association and the Parents Volunteer Association.

The Volunteer Services Association raised funds to purchase Christmas presents and birthday gifts for the 2,400 residents of the facility. The Parents Volunteer Association (PVA) were parents of residents who set up a sheltered workshop so that residents could be paid for the arts and crafts they made.

When the facility began discharging residents, Mrs. Burns worked with the PVA as they bought land and built four homes for senior residents with no place to go after discharge.

She formed a group of volunteers to create the Wilton Civic Association, a not-for-profit organization that built the Wilkesville Community Center, which opened in 1993. She organized an annual U.S. Cycling Federation 72-mile bicycle race to raise funds for the center.

Mrs. Burns currently serves as president of the Area Agency on Aging, District 7, Inc., and has served in other offices and on committees.

Jules Duga, Ph.D., Bexley

Dr. Jules Duga has worked at Battelle Memorial Institute for more than 52 years. He has predicted trends in U.S. spending on research and development for 25 years. He is a respected authority in the field of research funding and is referenced in prominent national and international publications.

He designed programs in technology and economic development for the Ohio Governor’s Office and Department of Economic Development. He spent five years working with the U.S. Agency for International Development. Then-Governor Richard Celeste appointed him an Ohio Commodore for his work with the Confederation of Indian Industry in promoting technology-based joint ventures in India.

Dr. Duga has played the tuba for nearly 60 years, performing with the OSU Marching Band, the symphonies of Columbus and Wheeling, West Virginia, and the Brass Band of Columbus.

With his wife, Dr. Duga painstakingly cataloged the graves in 30 Jewish cemeteries in central and eastern Ohio, creating a valuable resource for family research.

Dr. Duga exemplifies positive aging. He continues to be regarded as an authority in his profession long past the traditional age of retirement. He is also an active musician and continues to contribute to the preservation of Jewish history.

Dr. Audrey Lavin, Canton

In her mid-50s, Dr. Audrey Lavin earned her Ph.D. in English, literature and rhetoric. She has used her doctorate as an international educational consultant to help change education in 17 countries, including the United States. She received two Fulbright professorships to teach in Spain.

Her role in literature is equally important, not only through her own publications but also as an advocate for writers everywhere – teaching writing, helping writers publish and making writing one of the arts to be recognized.

Dr. Lavin has been a community activist and volunteer for more than 50 years. From her early involvement as a volunteer at the YWCA, she has worked with and had leadership roles in the Stark County District Library, the United Way, the Jewish Federation and the Ohio Humanities Council, among others. Then-Governor George Voinovich appointed her to the Ohio Educational Telecommunications Network Commission.

At 79, she helped plan and lead a monthly poetry slam. Her new murder mystery has just been published. She has started a web blog, is an active member of the Canton Planning Committee and lectures regularly.

Dr. Lavin is a wonderful educator who shares her gift by continuing to teach, write, lecture and be active in her community.

Elwood Michaels, West Chester

Elwood “Mike” Michaels can be called the Father of Chair Volleyball.

He became involved with the sport in 1999, designing and manufacturing equipment used in southwestern Ohio nursing homes and senior and community centers. In 2000, his invention set the equipment standard that was adopted by the Hamilton County General Health District. Since then, his designs have inspired similar equipment nationwide. He still services the equipment he manufactured.

Mr. Michaels also volunteers to make wooden toys for the annual Sharonville Fantastic Toy Shop and has done so since its inception in 2001. He also volunteers during the event, helping children build toys. He has been caregiver to his wife, who has multiple sclerosis, since 1985. He transports her to cultural events outside the nursing home where she currently lives. Mr. Michaels has his own health concerns. He had both knees replaced and has recovered from a nearly fatal stomach hemorrhage.

Mr. Michaels is always ready to volunteer at the Sharonville Community Center. He enjoys people and serving others.

Mr. Michaels is known for putting the needs of his family and friends above his own. He always has a good word to say to everyone. An example of active aging, he is always trying something new. According to his nominator, he is an absolute treasure.

Doyle Miller, Lakeview

Doyle Miller has lived in Lakeview all his life and has dedicated that life to serving his country and community. He served in World War II in Africa, Sicily and Normandy, including landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day. He later lost a leg in hedge row fighting. After returning home, he served as a rural mail carrier for 35 years.

Before entering the service, he played many sports, including baseball. After discharge from the military, he pitched sandlot baseball for 9 years with a prosthesis before starting the Little League in Lakeview. He has coached girls and boys teams for 20 years. Thanks to him, many young people have gone on to play college ball with athletic scholarships.

Mr. Miller has been involved with local youths in many ways. He has served on the Boys State committee for 40 years. He has spoken for many years to classes about World War II and flag etiquette.

He was named Outstanding Citizen at Indian Lake High School in 1991. At age 60 he did a 10-mile walkathon for Amvets Post 39, raising $2,500 to purchase hospital equipment. He visits people who have lost a limb to reassure them that life does go on. In 2006 Indian Lake Chamber of Commerce named him Citizen of the Year.

Mr. Miller has not let disability keep him from working or volunteering. He is able to use his experiences to help others.

Joseph B. Quatman, originally from Lima

Joseph B. Quatman has had a major impact on services to mentally handicapped individuals in Allen County. He helped to establish the first facilities for mentally handicapped children in the county. As an attorney for 67 years and a former judge of the Juvenile Court and Court of Appeals, Mr. Quatman initiated innovative court-sponsored services for troubled juveniles.

Mr. Quatman specializes in “firsts.” He helped establish Allen County’s first parochial high school and established the county’s first cable TV provider.

He served on the Allen County Board of Mental Retardation and is a life member of such civic organizations as the Sertoma Club and the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member and past president of the Allen County Bar Association. For 40 years, he has been chairman of the Quatman Philanthropic Trust. He also found time to volunteer at local nursing homes.

Having served in the U.S. Army Counter-Intelligence Corps., he remained active as president and chairman of the board of the veterans’ organization.

This father of eight is known for his fairness, hard work and his dedication to God and family. The words his nominator used to describe him: honesty, integrity, generosity and tenacity.

At 92, Mr. Quatman continues his philanthropic work.

Mary Regula, Canton

Mary Regula has distinguished herself in service to her community and nation through her dedication to education, her involvement in numerous volunteer activities and her personal leadership.

Through her research in history, she discovered an educational void of information about First Ladies and other women who have contributed to our nation’s history. Mrs. Regula assembled a board to raise funds and hire a historian to create a complete 40,000-entry bibliography on all first ladies from Martha Washington to Laura Bush. It is the cornerstone of the National First Ladies’ Library, and now the First Ladies National Historic Site. Mrs. Regula currently serves as the National First Ladies’ Library’s full-time Volunteer Founding Chair and President.

Mrs. Regula received an honorary doctorate in Humanities from Mount Union College in May 1999, and, in May 2004, the University of Akron bestowed on her an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science in Education. She was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame in October, 1999.

She has been recognized by the League of Women Voters and received a Presidential Citation from Malone University in Ohio for her community outreach on women’s issues.

Mrs. Regula’s leadership and activism are an example for us all.

Donna Smallwood, Parma

For most of her life, Donna Smallwood has been a community activist. In 1965 she was part of the volunteer JayCees wives, who started senior citizen activities for Parma. In 1968 she became the first paid Director of the Parma Senior Center.

For almost 20 years, Mrs. Smallwood built the program. She acquired grants that began transportation, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and hospital-delivered meal programs. She also started the Parma Commission on Aging, the governing body and fundraising arm of the Center.

In 1996, she returned to the position of Director, which she held until 2003. She now volunteers to preserve the much-needed programs.

She is also very active in the community. She has been a member of Proud of Parma since its inception and is the current President. She served as Director/Secretary of the Parma Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Smallwood’s love and knowledge of Parma and knowledge of the aging network make her so successful at helping others. She has compassion, devotion, and love for her fellow human being, combined with endless energy, drive and determination. She is respected by city, state and federal officials and is an asset to those seniors who have counted on her for years.

Joy Tarbert, Bucyrus

Joy Tarbert has spent her life as an advocate for mentally disabled children. Her son has been her motivation. Her efforts have had a major impact on the lives of children and on the services offered in her area.

Mrs. Tarbert is the founder and, for 18 years served as director, of the Special Kids Kamp. She assembled a staff of volunteers and found sponsors because she never wanted to turn a child away. She was also a member of the Founding Committee for the Ohio Special Olympics.

She has been a member and the president of the Muskingum County Council for Retarded Children and both the Crawford County and Wyandot County Associations for Retarded Children. She was the founder and advisor for the Muskingum County Youth Association for Retarded Children and founder and state coordinator for the Ohio Youth Association for Retarded Children and Adults. She served on the boards for the Ohio Association for Retarded Children, the Wyandot County Board of Mental Retardation and the ADAMH boards for both Crawford and Marion Counties. She has also had a career in radio and television for the past 20 years.

She has been recognized by the Ohio House of Representatives and received the Bucyrus Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award in 2007. Bucyrus also designated an official Joy Tarbert Day.

Mitchell Joseph Toto, Belmont

Working hard has been a way of life for Mitch Toto. He is very driven, focused and intense. He sets goals and meets them, no matter his age.

What is remarkable are the goals he chooses. He ran 10 marathons, including two Boston marathons. He has run 10 ultra-marathons (races more than 50 miles). He held a North American record of 121 miles run in 24 hours. He finished the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. He bicycled 4,200 miles across the US in 36 days at age 60. He bicycled the perimeter of the US, 12,000 miles, in 131 days at age 65 for the Ohio Valley Hospice.

His first race, 31 years ago, was the Ogden Newspapers 20k Classic (12.4 miles), held in Wheeling, WV. He ran in all 31 races and in 2004, was inducted into the 20k Classic Hall of Fame. In 2007, at age 70, Mr. Toto and a friend completed a 500-mile, six-day endurance trek for Ohio Valley Hospice awareness that combined biking, canoeing and running. He has run from Pittsburg Childrens Hospital to Columbus Childrens Hospital in three days to raise money.

Mr. Toto is not only an outstanding athlete, he and his wife, Nancy, have been volunteering for more than 20 years. They have participated in several major fundraising events for Ohio Valley Hospice and this year, he and Nancy were honored as a Joined Hearts in Giving couple. He was named 2007 Hospice Person of the Year.

Eleanor Warner, Cleveland Heights

At 51, Eleanor Warner earned her law degree, which served her well at the Benjamin Rose Institute, where she worked with others to create a law that established adult protective services. She trained social workers and provided legal services to homebound elderly.

In 1982, she joined the Cleveland area’s Long-term Care Ombudsman office, handling complaints, visiting facilities and advocating for improved laws and rules relating to long-term care. In her mid-60s, she helped to draft legislation that became law in 1989 and required board and care facilities across the state to be licensed and monitored.

In 1996, Ms. Warner became director of the Cleveland Long-term Care Ombudsman Program. She expanded services to include providing information and handling complaints regarding Medicare and Medicare Managed Care. The Cleveland Foundation approved the organization’s proposal to develop a database to assist consumers in choosing a long-term care facility.

At age 83, she continues to volunteer as an Ombudsman, helping to train others.

Eleanor Warner has dedicated her life to improving the quality of care and life for thousands across Ohio. The impact of her work on behalf of Ohio’s elderly will continue far into the future.

Dolores Wisenbarger, Butler

Since 1987, Dolores Wisenbarger has been a driving force at the Clearfork Nutrition Center. She not only helped establish the Center, she volunteers there daily. With a friend, she developed the concept and, when they hit a snag, she arranged for meals to be fixed in the museum’s basement.

Mrs. Wisenbarger started as the bookkeeper. She now plans the meals, orders the food, stocks the shelves and schedules the volunteers. She also cooks for special parties, recognition dinners, community trainings and funeral dinners. She still finds time to be the dishwasher, server and meal deliverer.

She is at the Nutrition Center by 5:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, preparing meals for the congregate and home-delivered meal programs. On Wednesdays, she cooks a breakfast buffet.

In addition, Mrs. Wisenbarger actively seeks donations, funds and grants to help purchase equipment and food for the Center and its programs. She gives presentations to area agencies and businesses.

For her efforts, Mrs. Wisenbarger has been honored with the Butler Humanitarian and Citizen of the Year Award and has received the Richland County Tribute to Women in Industry Award.

At 78, Mrs. Wisenbarger is still working for others.

Previous Inductees
* = Posthumously inducted

2007
Harold Bram; Arthur R. Clemenson; Russell Coffey; Patricia Doud; Delpha I. Hoffman; Louis & Betty Hughes; Nancy McPeek; Dale Miller; George L. Neargarder; Martin J. O’Connell; "Dene" Pellegrinon; Norma Torres

2006
Hugh Coffman; Creola C. Dickey; Anthony M. Feldes; Carolyn A. Haynali; Troy Lee James; Mary Keller; Beulah McFarland; Myrtle Musch*; Robert Netzley; Ralph & Myrtle Peters; Jean Pieper; Jean E. Plack; Bill Richards; George Riser; Mardo Williams*

2005
Edith J. Clayton; Nada Dunn; Jean Garner; Mary Lou Hawkins; Dr. Jon Hendricks; Martha Monnin; Rosalie Morgan; Anne T. Nixon; Reuben & Dorothy Silver; Jerry D. Smart; Alfred Tibor; Eloise S. Wolfson

2004
Betty Brindiar; Richard W. Brooks; W. Wallace Cannon; Evan E. Davis; John S. Dowlin; George Isaac; Bessie King Jackson; Charlotte & Paul Johnson; William L. Luntz; Tom McNutt; Dr. Dayle O. Snyder; Eleanor B. Steigmans

2003
Barbara Beckwith; James Blair; David Crowley; Hubert Dunkle; Beulah Hoerr; Zeke Mullins; Walter Poenisch, Sr.*; James Rudes; Edwin Schrank; Viktor Schreckengost; Richard Shearer

2002
Mildred Wirt Benson*; Frances Carr; Mary E. Cherry; Ralph Cobey; Bob & Jewell Evans; Jerry Francis; Fred Hirsimaki; Everett Hosack; Peggy Irwin; Phil Rutan; Marie Schill, RN; Edith Wissman

2001
Dorothy Dexter Alexander; Erma Bombeck*; Robert T. Fox; Ben N. Groh*; Rev. Phale D. Hale; Elizabeth Harper; Donald R. James; Norman Harold Lambert; Sally Richenbacher; Glen Wheeler

2000
Bettie Bjorn; Judith Y. Brachman; Mary L. Bowermaster; Bea Gingery; Lubomir "Lu" Hromadka; Lois K. Ide; Richard J. Noll; Rev. Lonnie Simon; Dale Tom; Grayce Williams

1999
Donald Becker; Naomi Brown; Betty Collins*; Gloria Giannestras; Glenn E. Maddy; Kenneth M. Mahan; Thomas E. McFadden*; William Rosell Rogers; William L. Simmons; Don A. Simpson; Dr. Richard & Helen Spitzer

1998
Sister Mary Humbert Davis; Lowell Dock; William Henry Fouse*; Mary Carter Glascor; U. S. Senator John Glenn; Luella Glick; Betty Hartley, Ed.D.; Virginia Kress; Nancy Fitori Kubina; Belle Likover; Dennis & Betty Morris; Blanche Motts; Frank Angelo Nappi*; Betty Nein; Pauline Radebaug; Nelson Schwab Jr.

1997
Doris Blackston; Elsie Calamese; William S. Derry; Orville R. Ferguson Sr.; Dr. Willard B. Fernald; Edward J. Groening; Elsie Helsel, Ph.D.| Margaret Hunt; Cecil A. Maxwell; Carl H. Swick; John B. Williams

1996
Abraham Brickner; Helen Spotts Brown; Virgil E. Brown; Michael J. Lacivita; Katherine LeVeque; Aaron Levine; Martha Whelan Murphy; Jewel L. Rollen; Harold E. Sawyer; John P. Stozich

1995
Josephine Wenning Bruns; Thomas C. Eakin; Helen Fero; George James*; Austin Eldon Knowlton; James Lee Middleton; Corwin Nixon; Ervin J. Nutter; Mary Jane Cooper O’Brien; Betty B. Pitzer; Rachel Ann Trent Rayford

1994
George Adcox; Morris Becker; Byron Winfield Brown; Mary Callow; Paul M. (P.M.) Gillmor; Dr. Helen I. Glueck; Kathryn Hagler; Deseree Mitchell Liddell; Grace E. Maratta; Lois Nelson; Eldon H. Phillips; Audrey A. Rowan; Frances Saunders; James S. Savage; John J. Schiff

1993
Tilmon Adamson; Don Barrett; Evelyn Darnovsky Bonder; Joseph E. Cattarin; Jimmy Crum; Dorothy F. Davis; Bob Feller; Roberta M. Graham*; Philip C. Johnson; Zenobia Perry; George R. Smith

1992
Thomas E. Hairston; Clem Hamilton; Harold W. Kohn; Martha McCrary; Vera Saunders; Morrie Sayre; Rev. Wray C. Smith; Josephine B. Voinovich; Furl P. Williams; Judge Warren C. Young; Helen W. Zelkowitz

1991
James T. Foley; Rev. Kay M. Glaesner; Marie Haug, Ph.D.; Ruby Long; Vance B. O’Donnell; Mildred M. Seltzer, Ph.D.; Vernon Rodney Young, Sr.

1990
Mercedes Cotner; Raymond C. Drake, Jr.; Mable Hardeman Edwards; Eleanor Kahle; Jerome Kaplan, Ph.D.; Ilse Kershner; Albert A. Neideck; Bernice Cisco Williams

1988
Al Boffo; Frank Brockmeyer; Sister Ann Jeanne Chisholm; Lucile S. Costello; Lucille Dryden; G. Fred Graf; Kay Reidel; Mary Jo Stafford; Robert Thomas; Mamie L. Williams

1987
Alma Cahill; Phil Chelnick; Ocie Hill; Alice Hoffman; Edward Huber*; Thaddeus Hurd; Melvin Miller; Edwardina Riggans; Robert Secrest; Georgia Silliman; Alice Weston

1986
Anna Bishop; Lois Filipic; Jack Halbeisen; Helen Hawley; Ruth Kane; David Lusk; Kenneth Miller; Durwood Neff; Erie Sauder

1985
Ronald Brown; Lucille & Fred Grumley; Howard L. Hofacre; Helen E. Landry; Charles W. Peckham; John G. Pfund; Ralph H. Romig; Helen H. Santmyer; Loretta Yoder

1984
Ora McCain Barrett; Charles Blakeslee; Frank P. Celeste; Orland C. Duke; Catherine Gillie; David N. Myers; Wesley (Branch) Rickey*; Vernal G. Riffe, Sr.; Dorothy V. Ryan; Carl E. Smith

1983
Lucille Chenault; Avis W. Cullen; Ethel Straw Guthrie; David Leahy; Irvin H. Ryan*; James E. Saunders; Myrl H. Shoemaker; Sidney Spector; C. Umahau Wolf; Johann J. Zabka

1982
Walter E. Alston; Clarence H. Borgelt; John B. Conrad*; Helen W. Evans; Dorothy Fuldheim; Ruth Lyons; C. Stanley Mechem; Capt. H. Mowrey| Norman Vincent Peale; William A. Pepper; James A. Rhodes

1981
Alfred A. Antenucci; Jessie Z. Barlett; Anthony J. Celebrezze; Beulah Fawcett; Carl F. Graf; Walter E. Havighurst; Charles D. Hill; Charles Y. Lazarus; Larry W. Pelton; (Russell) Games Slayter

1980
James T. Flood; Sherman L. (Jack) Frost; Edward D. Kuekes; Edward C. Haaf; Dominick Labino; Helen G. McClelland; The Mills Brothers (Herbert, Harry, Donald); Elijah Pierce; William Presser; Donald B. Robinson; David Rubinoff; Murtis H. Taylor-Mills

1979
Paul E. Brown; Phyllis Diller; Gertrude W. Donahey; Joseph W. Fichter; Lillian Gish; Edwin C. Heinke; Sister M. Henrietta, C.S.A.; William O. Walker; Stella Walsh; Floyd E. Wenger

1978
I. W. Abel; John W. Bricker; B. Bernard Caplan, M.D.; John W. Galbreath; Wayne W. (Woody) Hayes; Frank J. Lausche; Rose L. Papier; Theodosia Sochasky; Ella P. Stewart; Lowell Thomas

1977 - Charter Members
Muriel M. Allen Bertsch; Erbest J. Bohn*; Anna V. Brown; Milton Caniff; W. Fred Cottrell; Nelson H. Cruishank; Arthur S. Flemming; Zelma Watson George; Richard Gosser*; Leslie Townes (Bob) Hope; Martin Janis; James C. (Jesse) Owens; Sidney L. Pressey; Albert B. Sabin, M.D.; Louis B. Seltzer; Dr. Julius & Mrs. Helen Weil; Aaron M. Weisen